Wordless Wednesday!!!!!

"No touch it Mommy!!!!!"


Have a great day!!!!!!
Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Three Things that We should Teach our Chilren-It's in the Song!!!!!!

Special thanks to Shoplet.com-Purell Hand Sanitizers for sponsoring this blog hop.





This has become a song that has spoken so loudly to me. I once heard it said that in that time with Him to really get on your face. I mean, carpet fibers in your nose and tears on the floor. I have been there. This is one of those songs that is just powerful!!!!!! PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT AND WORSHIP!!!!!!! Teach your children what TRUE WORSHIP IS!!!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

No Not Me Monday Today.

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I'm just kind of in strange mode today. As I shared on Friday, it was supposed to be a day of celebration and excitement and change. Instead it was a day filled with pain and tears. Tears that still come when I see or read something. A sweet friend asked me the other night..."So, how are you doing?". He did not mean anything but sencerity and I completely lost it. Then I can do just fine and all of the sudden, the flood gates open and all the emotion just comes flooding out again. I think the best way to describe it is grieving. Kind of the same types of emotions when you have lost a loved one. That is the only way I know to describe it. She is doing fine (as far as I know). She has chosen to leave us out of everything, all the way down to visiting. Today she will be transferred to get some 24 hour supervision, therapy and much needed help. The key to that will be, "Will she be receptive?" If not, then things will not get better. They will stay the same or get worse. Pray that she will be receptive!!!!!!!!

In the midst of all of this, I had a sweet couple this weekend that changed into a family. They are now the proud parents of a precious baby boy named Davis. He is the mirror image of his Dad. I will go and visit with them tonight and see how everyone is adjusting. They are soooo very proud!!!!!!

I promise that I will have a lot of positive to share tomorrow and maybe even a birthstory or 2 this week as well!!!!! How cool would that be!!!!!!?

Have an awesome Monday and I promise, I will be back next week with a NOT ME MONDAY!!!!!!(We are going to a fair next Saturday, I am sure there will be A LOT to share!!!!)

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

We have a daughter.............

We have a daughter.
We got her when she was 8.
Today is her birthday.
It's the big one today. The big 1-8
It's cloudy and overcast outside.
That's the way it feels on my insides.
It's 2009
Today, I had envisioned years ago,
A bunch of giggling girls at my house
College days that had just begun
Going to get pedicures and manicures
Watching a little girl turn to a young woman.
Alot of those dreams and visions started changing about 6 years ago.
Something wasn't right
We all could see it but no one knew what to do
The anger. The agression. The rage. The hurt.
We thought we knew everything.
We DID NOT and were NOT TOLD everything.
God knew.
He knew EVERY DETAIL.
Today was suppose to be a happy day.
A day full of excitement and looking forward.
Instead, today was spent in a court room.
A Father and a StepFather stood, with a case worker, a public defender
A judge, police and a young woman that is paving a road for herself standing before that judge.
Today she was sent to get help by court order.
Today she starts her adult life.
Today she starts with that life of being court ordered.
We are shut out by her.
Our hands are tied and we have to wait and watch
We HAVE TO WATCH AND PRAY!!!!
Pray that she will realize
Pray that the Lord just gets a hold of her and sends her in the other direction.
Does she realize we still love her? I so pray that she does.
No matter what happens....
She will always be our daughter.
We will pray and we won't stop.
We will help if she will let us.
If you ever get to read this T----
We love you.
Yes, We have a daughter!!!!!
Happy Birthday Sweetie.

Love.
Mom,Dad,Bo and Lynn

Thoughtful Thursday

Thoughtful Thursday is running behind schedule. Please check in this evening!!!!!



Doula Mama Pam

I got E-Interviewed and it was POSTED!!!!!!

I am so excited. I was checking on all the blogs that I usually read and happened over to one that I love. She had e-mailed me and "E-intervied" me. I had almost forgotten about it and then I saw it posted on Sept. 18th!!!!!! Way cool!!!!!!
Check it out!!!!!!

http://www.pixelperfectblog.com/2009/09/getting-to-know-you.html

Thank you so much Monica. What an honor!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wordless Wednesday's

Parker Has Arrived

Today I attended a most wonderful birth. This is a young lady whom I have watched grow up right before my eyes. Her Mom and her Grandma worked with my Mom in the church's preschool for years. Her Grandma, Martha would be so proud of her today. Today was the day that this young lady became a Mother.
Induced with Pitocin, she had made her mind up and prepared herself.... NO MEDICATION and NO EPIDURAL!!!!!! I literally watched her go from one stage to the next with strength, courage, empowerment and determination. Little Princess Parker was born this evening in a most beautiful delivery. Mom and baby are doing wonderful. Dad was AWESOME. He was there for every contraction and did whatever needed to be done. This evening at 5:21pm (EST), a couple became a family. I'll share more and maybe even pictures if they approve.
This is why I am a Doula!!!!!!! Love you Ben and Brittany and Parker.....of course you to, Joe and Vera.

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Blog Hoppin' Tuesday and Why you need to read Mothering The Mother

Special thanks to Grace Jacobsen for sponsoring this blog hop.

Why you should read Mothering The Mother's Blog?????
This is a really hard question. I started this blog originally to let people that I work with, family, friends and others know what a Doula is. Do you know what a Doula is? It has now become a place for journaling,at least once a week, a place to share about my family, prayer request, my passion for my Savior, my passion for pregnant women and just to share the funny things in the life of a Sinner saved by grace, a Mom of a 21 year old and a 2 1/2 year old. Life is great and this is a place to share. If you want encouragement.....If you need a laugh.....If you are looking for something for dinner.....If you are looking for birth stories.....You have landed in the righ spot. Please stick around. Become a "follower" and grab a button while you are at it!!!!!!! I look forward to getting to know you!!!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Parker is on the way!!!!!!!!

We might be missing a post today. I am off to a hospital to be with a verys special Mom. She and her hubby are having their first. Such an exciting time!!!!!
Check back later for pictures.

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama

Not Me Monday!!!!

We went to the fair this weekend. This is a rather small one but nevertheless it was a blast. Of course there were a lot of Not Me moments. I thought I would share just a few.

I did not force my child to hold his little hand out with animal feed in it for a goat to eat out of. Messy eaters!!!!! Slobber and spit every where. Oh but was it fun!!!!!

Not only did I NOT do it once but I did it again!!!!!!

Then it was off to the rides. I did not PUT him on a ride of motorcycles to go around and around in a circle.

It did not take Daddy and the operator to get him buckled in. He only went around one time and we had to stop because of the tears.

We DID NOT pay $15 for the paper bracelet attached to his ankle for him to go to the fair and play in the water puddle. Could have saved $15 but it was worth every penny to watch him find the biggest puddle he could!!!!!

Hope you have a great week!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam
PS-off to a delivery tomorrow!!!! Can't wait!!!!! Check back for updates.!!!!!!

Super Supper Saturday Sunday

SQUASH BAKE


4 medium squash (use zucchini or yellow squash)
2 cups finely crushed club cracker crumbs (I sometimes use Ritz as a substitute)
2 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
½ cup 2% reduced fat milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (reduced fat can be used)
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. sugar
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9-inch pie pan or 9-inch square baking dish.

Cook squash and drain well (just until tender). Press cracker crumbs in bottom of dish to form a crust. Dot with butter. Spoon squash on top.

Whisk eggs in a bowl until fluffy. Stir in onion, milk, 2/3 cup of cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. Pour over squash. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered 35 minutes or until golden around the edges.

Serves 6 to 8 people.

Laboring (and Cooking) with You,

Doula Mama Pam

Thoughtful Thursday

Thoughtful Thursday Already....
Can you believe it? Things have been so very busy and so hectic but at the same time, all in all a pretty good week this week. I have been able to do several workouts and it feels so good. There is enough stress in every one's life sometimes and I have discovered that exercise/running is my release. There is something about those endorphins that get going and things just seem to fade away. Things seem to be easier to handle. Attitude is changed. Stress is down. Physically feel better. Mentally and emotionally feel better. Not to mention just clear headed.
Sometimes it's only a 30 minute spot that appears in the middle of a crazy day and it's just enough to put on the headset with the Ipod and hit the road. It's just time to be quiet. Time to get out the emotions of that day.
Question keeps coming back to me though, even as I type(write) this entry. "What if I had 'work-out time' each day with Him? I don't mean driving to work. I don't mean at a meal with a 10 second grace. I mean a real, work-out time, with Him.
So....now that we have that thought. Let's take it and run with it.

Warm Up- Get the heart rate up a bit. Get ready. Get things moving.
Warm Up with Him- Find the same place everyday. Kitchen table, floor next to the bed, sitting at a desk, favorite chair, favorite bench in the yard. Bible in hand, a pen and a piece of paper. Close your eyes and just envision Him. Him sitting next to you, across from you, sitting knee to knee with you or you sitting at His feet. If that doesn't get the heart rate up a little, we may need to have you check with your doctor.
Work Out- Lasting however long possible. Heart rate up. A little strength training, a great deal of sweating going on. Focus on the ultimate goal. Muscles working, heart is working and this really feels great!!!!!
Work Out With Him- Focus on Him. Focus on His goal for you. What does He have planned for you? What does He want to share with you? How does He want to challenge you today? Where does He see you at today? Are you hiding behind unconfessed sin? Angry over a diagnosis that you have received? Despair over a wandering child? Frustrated with infertility? Saddened by the thoughts of losing a child that you have carried and may lose with in moments after you meet them? Yes, heart is racing and this is the time. Lay it out. Tell Him how you are feeling. He is a big God and He can handle it. He already knows. He is right there holding your hand and loving you and wiping your tears and sharing His light and His perfect love with you. WRITE IT DOWN!!!!!!!
Cool Down- Basking in the awe of what you have accomplished. Feeling good, bringing the heart rate down, drinking water, loving the feeling of the muscles that have been worked.
Cool Down with Him- BASKING in His glory. Be still and be quiet in His presence as His love just simply washes over you. The calm that comes from Him. The love. The excitement. He is so good. He is so perfect. He loves you sooooo Very much!!!!!!!

That would be the ultimate work out!!!!!! Amen? Amen!!!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wordless Wednesday

Remember this picture????? I have managed to work out quite a bit this week and it feels great so why not!!!!!!! Signing up for Myrtle Beach Half Marathon this weekend!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!! Anyone want to join me????? Cool place to meet up for some Starbucks???? Let me know......

Have a great day!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Stop the Presses!!!!!!

I have been e-mail interviewed!!!!!! I am so excited I could bust a gut!!!!!!
Monica, who writes this blog sent me an e-mail interview to get to know her "followers". I am honored and humbled that she has done this!!!!!!! I'll keep you posted to when it appears on her site.

Thanks Monica!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Blog Hoping Artwork!!!!!

I love to take pictures but not nearly as good at it as my son, Kyle. These pictures remind me that "His Mercies Are New Every Morning!!!"
There are about 6 other pictures. I took a picture every 2-3 minutes during sunrise at the beach. My favorite time at the beach!!!!!
Have a great day!!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Not Me Monday

I am soooo glad that McMama is going to do a Not Me Monday today. I love doing these but wasn't sure if I was going to get to or not.
Of course, this weekend was my birthday and I actually made it through the weekend and I only remember shedding tears one time (or maybe 2). It was awesome. Mom and Dad were here and my oldest came and spent the day with me on Saturday. It was just awesome!!!!!!!!!

OK, let's get going!!!!!

I did not go to the gym on Saturday morning and get a work-out according to my oldest child and then proceed to come home and eat a bacon-egg-cheese biscuit from McDonald's.
I did not only eat a slice of birthday cake for lunch.
I did not go to dinner with my husband (by ourselves!!!!!) and watch us split the appetizer and then proceed to eat my entire dinner and on the inside WISHING they had a dessert menu.....what in the world was I thinking????
I did not sit last night with the 2 year old that has now had his first experience with markers and watch him color his toes and toenails red. (Papa taught him to do that while they were here).
I did not actually get nervous about teaching 4 year olds yesterday, afraid I would forget everything. (IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!)

It was a great weekend with lots of fun and lots of looking and shopping. Oh, and I got a new Vera Bradley bag......as my physician-mentor-of-the-doula-world would say, "very granola". It is sooooo pretty. Reds and blacks. LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Today is my Birthday!!!!

I have no idea why birthday's have become so difficult for me. Last year I hit the big 4-0 and that was really hard. I was even listening to the radio this morning and someone was celebrating their 45th birthday and they were having a hard time as well. I felt a little better knowing that I was not the only one. It is only a number and we make it seem like such a big deal and we try to make it define who and what we are. Who and what we are in Christ is the most important thing. That is what dries my tears when the flood gates open and I realize what all I have experienced in 41 years.
On Thursday we did the alphabet. Today we will do numbers. I sound like a teacher....LOL
So let's see what happens with this. If it is close to your birthday, give it a try and see what you come up with. You can list characteristics, whether good or bad, and then who and what you are. So, let's get started.

1-Child of The King
2-Loved by my family
3-Daughter
4-Sister
5-Aunt
6-Granddaughter
7-Mother
8-Wife
9-Friend
10-Pray-er
11-3 children- Ages 20 to 2yrs old
12-Blogger
13-Doula
14-Perinatal Fitness Instructor
15-Childbirth Educator In Training
16-Full Time Employee
17 Certified Nursing Assistant
18-Bank
19-Listener
20-Independent
21-Dependent on my Lord
22-Cry-er (I can cry ANYTIME)
23-Sinner saved by Grace
24-Teacher of 4 year olds in Sunday School
25-Former Preschool Teacher
26-Not a college graduate
27-Love for pregnant women and teens
28-Funny
29-Great Cook(so I have been told.
30-Passionate
31-Love the mountains
32-Love the beach
33-writer/journal-er
34-Lived in California
35-Grew up in Ga.
36-Lived in Maryland
37-Lived in Texas
38-Gone to Nepal once
39-Gone to Ukraine twice-hope to return some day
40-Gone to India twice-hope to return some day
41-Celebrating my Birthday

Today WILL be a good day. My parents are in town, life is great!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Super Supper Saturday Sunday

GEORGIA BRUNSWICK STEW


1 whole chicken or 4 chicken breasts (cooked & chopped)
1 small pork roast (cooked & chopped)
1 small beef roast (cooked & chopped)
1 can cream-style corn
1 can whole kernel corn (drain)
1 & ½ cups catsup
1 & ½ cups Cattleman’s bbq sauce (or your favorite)
2 medium onions, thinly chopped
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup white vinegar
Salt & pepper (to taste)
Tabasco sauce (to taste)
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Chicken broth (at least 3 cans or you can use left-over broth from cooking chicken; you
can add more if you like your stew thinner.)

Cook and chop meats (I use a food processor). Add all ingredients. Cook on medium or low heat for at least an hour (longer it cooks, the better it is). Browned hamburger meat or ground turkey could also be added if desired. I also sometimes add a can of small butterbeans or lima beans, drained well.

This recipe can be altered in many ways to suit your taste. If you like it less tomato-tasting, use less catsup & bbq sauce. If you want it thinner, add more broth. If you don’t eat red meat, it is okay to leave out the beef roast (still tastes good).

This freezes well also. Enjoy!

Laboring (and Cooking) with You,

Doula Mama

Thoughtful Thursday- Grab the button and join me!!!!

I was reading another blog the other day. They had this really cool idea on it. They had taken the alphabet and listed it out. Then by each letter, they had listed a Name or Description of God. It was amazine. She had listed characteristics, names, descriptions, praises, and even a request or 2. I have gone back to try and find it and I can't locate it. I'm not trying to copy someone here or take their idea but thought it would be good to do for a Thursday. So, with that in mind, let's get started. I am sure this is going to be harder than it looks.....

A-Alpha
B-Begining
C-Caring
D-Defender
E-Everything
F-Forgiving
G-Gracious
H-Holy Spirit
I-Immanuel
J-Jesus
K-King of Kings
L-Lover of my soul
M-Maker of new beginning's
N-Never-ending
O-Omniscient
P-Praise
Q-Quiets my spirit
R-Redeemer
S-Savior
T-Truth
U-Unconditional Love
V-Victorious
W-Wants ALL OF ME
X-xed-out ALL my sin!!!!!( I did look in a thesaurus and xed out is a word)
Y-Yoke is easy
Z-Zealous for me.

That was pretty neat. I would challenge you to sit down and do this today. I think it would interesting to do this once a month and just see if it changes. Do we change our thoughts and descriptions depending on our situations? Let's meet again on October 8th and see if mine is any different. Have a great day!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

What in the World???

It is Wednesday and I have not blogged. What in the world????? No, we have not fallen off the face of the earth. We are still here and still living life to the fullest.
We managed to get away to the beach for a few days and try to relax a little. That was so much fun but it never seems to be long enough. It always seems like just as you get settled and you have put everything where you want it, you have to put it all back in the suitcase, pack it up and go back to reality. That is not always a place I want to be. I had rather be at the beach....can you tell???? I have a bunch of pictures and can't wait for Not Me Monday next week. We even have the pictures to prove the Not Me side of it. It was such a stitch. I got so tickled trying to explain it yesterday. Just wait and see.
For all of you Birth Story Junkies out there, I have received e-mails from 3 of my Mom's that I can share their stories. I am soooo excited. They are excited to have it posted as well which is really exciting. I will double check about pictures but the stories are precious and wonderful. Be on the look out for those.
My September Mom is doing great. She actually has an appt today so I am just waiting to hear what the doctor has to say. She was already 3 cm the other day when I was leaving for the beach. I told her to please DON"T HAVE HER WHILE I AM GONE!!!!! Well, the Little One agreed and stayed put. Don't think we will make it to her due date. I think Mom is tired of being pregnant!!!!! I know many of you feel that way. October Mom is doing great. They don't know what their Little Love Bug is. Dad is going to announce it at the birth. Is that cool or what??? We went on a tour of their hospital the other night....SWEET!!!! It's all new, quiet, and just top notch to say the least. Very impressive. We joked about parking in the parking deck and letter her walk to Maternity Admissions. Of course, we soooo will not do that. November Mom is counting the weeks. Feeling great and looking great. They are getting ready to start packing bags and really getting things ready to go. Baby shower this weekend so that will be a blast for them. December Mom is good. We have not really started meeting yet but I do see her when she comes into the office. She is very sweet. We connected the day she came in for her interview. It was clear then!!!!! March Mom is super. She works everyday and even when she doesn't feel like it. She is a trooper!!!! I'm so excited for she and her hubby. This is their first baby. Actually, all of these Mom's and Dad's, this is their first baby. Such an awesome time in their life and at the same time I consider this so much of a privilege. They have invited me to come and share in their most intimate setting. The most personal time in their life. I truly consider it an honor and a privilege. I am still scheduling other deliveries.
I am excited that the YWCA will be starting up their Teen Childbirth Classes again. I have volunteered my services to them in whatever way they need. They are such a treat and trying to remember, they are teens but they are Teen Mom's. They are just precious.
It's time to return to work and get busy with all of the many things awaiting me on my desk. Have a wonderful day and I will try and get some pictures up this evening.

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Super Supper Saturday/Sunday

Hendrix Hamburger Helper

1 Small box of Macaroni (elbow is best)
1 can Tomato Soup
1 can whole kernel corn(DO NOT DRAIN)
1 pound of ground hamburger or turkey
1/2 small onion, chopped fine
1/2 cup shredded cheese (Optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Brown meat with onions until tender Salt and pepper to taste. Drain well. Stir in soup, corn and macaroni. It will be thick. Stir in 1 can of water. Place mixture in baking dish and cover with tinfoil. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, top with shredded cheese and return to oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve with Green salad and crunchy bread!!!!!! DINNER IS SERVED!!!!!

This was the very first thing that my Mom ever taught me to fix for dinner. I was just learning to cook. It was just wonderful. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Have a great weekend!!!!!

Laboring (and Cooking) with You,

Doula Mama Pam

Thoughtful Thursdays--Don't forget to grab a button and put it on your blog!!!!

There are many thoughts that I could share this morning but I am not sure I can put them all on paper because they would seem so mixed up and scrambled. I'll try and may have to have 2 post for today. The brain is just working OVERTIME!!!!!!

First- I have 2 VERY special people getting married this morning in New York in Central Park on one of the small bridges. Is that romantic or what!!!!???? He picked out the music and made the CD. She is going to be dressed like no other woman this morning at 10am and he will have on a tux @ 10am. These are 2 people that I have watched for many years. Debbie I have know since I moved here almost 20 years ago and him, since he came to work at our office 5 years ago. They have both been through more that anyone can imagine and yet, through His timing He has brought them together. Reminds me of a butterfly. When you think about it, they start out as a caterpillar. Kaleb would call it a worm. Anyway, this thing with to many legs, sometimes prickly, sometimes ugly, brown, creepy, crawly finds it's way into a tree and onto a branch. It begins it's busy work of creating that cocoon. There it sits. Do you ever wonder what goes on in there? Does all of that recreating hurt? Is it painful? What really happens in there? Then if you watch closely when it's close to time for it to emerge, the cocoon starts twitching, moving, shaking on the branch. You would almost think it is about to fall off but He keeps it safe and keeps it on the branch. Then in the smallest of movements, there is one antenna sticking out. Then another. Then a head and legs and then these HUGE wings. And the MOST BEAUTIFUL butterfly emerges. Stretching its wings. Trying them out for the very first time. It has become a NEW creation. The old, yucky, many-legged caterpillar is GONE!!!!! Never to be seen again!!!!! Now, I am sure that if you got VERY close and REALLY inspected this new creation, the eyes may be close, and you may see some resemblance BUT IT IS A NEW CREATION!!!!!!! That is what I think about with these 2 people. They have experienced the ugly. The prickly. The many-legged worm so to speak. They have spent time in a cocoon. They have spent time in that cocoon with THE LORD!!!! Today, on a bridge in New York City at 10am they both will meet on that bridge emerging from their cocoon a NEW CREATION. A NEW CREATION OF ONE BODY, ONE MIND AND ONE SPIRIT. They have been in the cocoon and have experienced the transforming power of the Lord Himself. They are new people and today, they will become a new family. I am having a hard time typing because I had rather be on the floor in humbleness and praising the Lord. The tears are burning my eyes and I'm just sooooo thankful. So excited!!!! So in awe of the Lord and watching Him do what He does!!!!!! OH PRAISE YOU!!!!!!!
Chucky D and Debbie- HAPPY WEDDING DAY!!!!!!!! Love you both so much!!!!!!!
Well, time for work. Can't be late. This is His Day and I will Rejoice in it!!!!!

There will be more to follow!!!!!!
Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Have an AWESOME DAY!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Blog Hopping Tuesday!!!!!

Two of my most favorite pictures. We don't have all of Little Man's baby pictures uploaded on the computer. For sure something to work on. Hope you enjoy!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam